My daughter an I have been asked to play in Church on Christmas Eve and we’re looking for something appropriate but that has a distinct Irish or “whistle” flare to it. And hopefully something with at least a couple of parts so we can play harmony or she can accompany me on the piano.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would absolutely be thrilled! 
Thanks;
Rod
With a bit of Irish ornamentation, Greensleeves should be pretty.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel is stunning on a low whistle. For some reason, every time I pick up a low whistle, that tune comes to mind. What’s weird is that I’m Jewish! Glorious tune in any event.
Umm . . .Christmas Eve the reel??
I think just about any “real” Christmas carol would sound great. BY “real” I mean anything not written in the last 100 years. No Bing Crosby or Holly Jollies, please.
God rest ye merry, Gentlemen (both tunes, but the one which is scalar is best) and the tune to which Good King Wenceslas was set are the best Christmas melodies, IMO, and both make crackling-good dance tunes.
In fact, that’s what they were first. IMO that’s the secret of the best christmas carols–‘carol’ originally meant a kind of dance, independant of the season.
It’s the dancy-nature of the tunes which makes them most amenable to irish style playing.
I have played Away in a Manger, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, and Ding Dong Merrily On High for a nice Christmas set on the whistle for church. (The first two tunes have many variations - we have played the ones more familiar here in Scotland (and elsewhere) than the ones I grew up with in the US).
Laura
I’ve only been playing for 2-3 weeks, but Christmas carols seem really easy. I’ve been able to pick out Greensleeves (What Child is This?), Little Drummer Boy, Good King Winceslas, We Three Kings, I Saw Three Ships, and even Angels We Have Heard On High. They’re not real clean, but the melodies are there.
You can also go here for starters:
http://www.tinwhistler.com/songtype.asp?songtype=14
It seems to me that the whistle just lends itself easily to Christmas carols.
Jason
Frankie Gavin released a recording some years back along the lines of “Frankie Gavin’s Irish Christmas”, which had some great playing on it.
Get that , if you can. The set-dance “The Piper In The Meadow Straying” is almost identical to a Christmas carol, but I don’t recall which, at the moment. If you’re stuck, contact me , and I’ll send you a recording on tape or mini-disc.
Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil is a very lovely Irish carol. It’s been recorded by many, including the Chieftains. (It’s also in Bill Ochs’ tinwhistle tutor.)
I’ll second the above suggestion if you want autheticity.
At our annual church Christmas revelry I always play a bunch of Christmas tunes on whistle. Most were played with the organ so if your daughter can do piano, that will sound great. Here’s a few I’ve done that worked well-
The Boar’s Head Carol- you can work out a nice descant to this one too.
Personet Hodie
Holly and the Ivy
Huron Carol (this one is very nice on low whistle
Gower Wassail
Glouchestershire Wassail
Deck the Hall
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Love Came Down at Christmas
Actually, most carols you might like can be done on whistle. Just think of some of your favorites and try them out. I bet you’ll be plesantly suprised.
The Whistle and Squeak site has some nice settings, including a lovely one of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (which is arguably a Christmas piece).
The largest of the groups I play with has a Christmas CD with lots of fine arrangements (I can say this so boldly because I joined the band a few years after that disc was completed). Check out this link for the track listing and samples:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the great suggestions; I should be able to find something (more than one) there.
jsluder: “Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil” is a beautiful tune. I had not played it nor heard it before. Thanks!
tommyk: the samples from your web site are great. I may just have to order a CD!
Rod
And a couple more I don’t think I saw mentioned–
Wexford Carol
Christmas Day Ida Moarnin’
I Wander as I Wonder
I Saw Three Ships
Coventry Carol
I’ve been starting to practice christmas music in prep for the season. Mst recently I’ve been learning O, Holy Night, works wonderfully on whistle.
One other suggestion, which has just occurred to me. The trio “Dordan”, which includes whistle-player Mary Bergin, recorded a Christmas CD, which has some lovely music on it. I’ve just checked Amazon’s website, and they list 4 suppliers of this CD for less than $10.00. Do a search on “Dordan”, and “Christmas”. I’d recommend that to you. Good luck !